WI Governor Proposes State Sales Tax On Downloads

Ars Technica ^ | 09 March 2005

[steve-b]

Wisconsin's Democratic governor thinks it's not fair that tangible items get taxed while downloads, like music, ebooks, software, etc., go completely untaxed. So, he proposes to rectify the situation by having Wisconsin's 5% state sales tax apply to Internet downloads. This is kind of like that famous hoax about how the USPS wants to charge people 5 cents for e-mail messages, except it's for real. What a dumb idea....

[steve-b]

One For You, Nineteen For Me....

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

Please tell me this is some kind of sick joke..... No wait its a Democrap isn't it....It figures. Enforce it.... I don't think so.

[clee1]

Dumbazz Dims.

They'll never learn....

[The Great RJ]

States are salivating at the prospect of taxing the Internet in ways we can't even imagine. Take a look at your next phone bill and add up all the taxes and fees (close to a 40% rate on mine)....that is what is in store for all Internet users if the states are allowed to tax the Internet. The arguements that the states are losing all this revenue from lost sales tax is bunk. They just want a new source of taxation.

[TChris]

Amazing. Libs will never cease to pursue new ways to confiscate your money.

[tx_eggman]

Please tell me this is some kind of sick joke..... No wait its a Democrap isn't it....It figures. Enforce it.... I don't think so.

Tell that to the folks in Michigan who are being hit with tax bills for cigarettes they purchased online.

[elbucko]

States are salivating at the prospect of taxing the Internet...The arguments that the states are losing all this revenue from lost sales tax is bunk. They just want a new source of taxation.

I agree. States that are Internet friendly and support Internet activity within the state fail to recognize the jobs and prosperity that the net creates and supports. Politicians, being ever so short sighted, will eventually get enough support for taxing the Internet. Will the Internet have the courage to throw them a "Tea Party"? I hope so.

[ladtx]

Wisconsin's Democratic governor thinks it's not fair that tangible items get taxed while downloads, like music, ebooks, software, etc., go completely untaxed.

Why of course he does, he's a dem, and they're all for fairness.

[brewcrew]

This butt-for-brains is a real tool. I call him Governor Veto - all he ever does is block progress (tax reform, voter ID, etc.) with his veto pen.

[freemama]

Brewcrew -
Tell us what you REALLY think of our governor! LOL
God forbid we get a democrat majority in our state house while this man is governor.

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

I truly feel sorry for the peeps this @$$ is Governor of....

[dangus]

OK someone has to say it:

What an ars!

[Old Professer]

>.05X0=0

[ewin]

Yet another reason to stop using credit cards for net purchases and for consumers to insist on e-gold, pecunix or an of the several other digital gold currencies.

[andyk]

he proposes to rectify the situation by having Wisconsin's 5% state sales tax apply to Internet downloads

Apply 5% to what?

[brewcrew]

Tell me this guy doesn't resemble a butt-head Ferenge from Star Trek:

[stopem]

Here in Texas, a RED state with a Republican Governor we already have to pay and/or charge sales tax of 8.25% on internet purchases!

[Osage Orange]

States are salivating at the prospect of taxing the Internet in ways we can't even imagine.

Deserves to be said again...........

[July 4th]

That's on tangible purchases, which most states do anyhow. This goes one step further - taxing things that aren't physically shipped to the state, but delivered electronically.

Wisconsin was previously very lax in enforcing use tax on physical goods, but this year, I know of a couple of people who are getting audited for not paying sales tax on large out of state purchases. It appears they don't want to stop at that.

Good luck enforcing something like this. If I'm making a purchase of a non-tangible good, I'll just use my sister's address in another state.

[Logical me]

Does anyone except me realize Government is out of control?